For this discussion assignment, please provide your response in a minimum of $500$ to $750$ words:

Evaluate the significance of encapsulation as a fundamental principle in object$-$oriented programming, highlighting its role in promoting code modularity and ensuring data security. Explain how encapsulation contributes to code organization by encapsulating related data and behavior within objects. Additionally, discuss how encapsulation prevents unauthorized access to object data, ensuring data integrity and privacy. Support your argument with relevant examples from real$-$world programming scenarios to illustrate the practical benefits of encapsulation in enhancing code maintenance, reusability, and overall software security.